Search form

You are here

Gonzalez receives top communicator award in Texas

July 23, 2014

Pascual Gonzalez, Executive Director of Communications for Northside ISD, is the recipient of the Texas School Public Relations Association’s (TSPRA) 2014 Key Communicator Award.

In a surprise presentation during the regularly scheduled NISD Board meeting last night, TSPRA President Denise Blanchard presented the award to Gonzalez, stating “We are so delighted to be able to honor one of our own as the 2014 Key Communicator. Pascual’s devotion to public education and school communications throughout his career at Northside ISD is without parallel.”

Past recipients of the award include such dignitaries as Texas Businessman H. Ross Perot, former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, and former Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Moses. For a complete list for Key Communicators, click here.

Gonzalez has spent his entire career in Northside ISD, beginning in 1976 as an English teacher before serving as assistant director of Public Information at NISD for ten years. He then served as the District’s executive director of Media and Technology Services.

Gonzalez moved back to the Communications Department as executive director in 1998. Since that time, Northside ISD has grown by more than 50,000 students, from 61,330 to an expected enrollment of 103,500 in the 2014-2015 school year. While in his current position, the District has passed six consecutive bond issues totaling more than $2.5 billion and opened more than 50 new schools.

“A district of NISD’s size presents huge challenges for administrators, but Pascual has done a magnificent job of both advocating for its students, teachers and staff, as well as keeping the public informed of their great accomplishments,” said State Senator Leticia Van de Putte.

Gonzalez is known both throughout the San Antonio area and statewide as a go-to source for explaining complex educational issues in a voice that’s clear, knowledgeable and professional.

“I can say absolutely unequivocally that Pascual Gonzalez is the most impressive communications professional and spokesperson I have ever worked with,” said Jenny LaCoste-Caputo, Executive Director of Public Affairs for the University of Texas System and a former education reporter and editor at the San Antonio Express-News.

Gonzalez also uses his experience and insight in his role as a mentor to many of the school public relations professionals across the state. Whether new to the profession or a veteran communicator, colleagues from throughout Texas know they can turn to Gonzalez for input and advice on the issues facing their district.

“Everyone seems to have Pascual on speed dial. From members of the media, to his colleagues at other school districts to our principals and key staff, when an issue arises or advice is needed, Pascual is the one we call upon,” said NISD Board of Trustees President Robert Blount, Jr. “We value his experience, rely on his superb judgment, and admire him for his ability to share the messages of NISD and public education to our audiences.”

Gonzalez will officially receive his award, sponsored by SchoolMessenger, at the 2014 Texas Association of School Administrators/Texas Association of School Boards Convention, to be held in Dallas from Sept. 26-28.